The Kenya Meteorological Service has forecast rain over parts of dozens of counties between November 3 and 10, The Star reported. The list spans the Coast, Nairobi, Mt Kenya, Western, the Rift Valley and northern Kenya. It includes Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Garissa, Mandera and Wajir.
The weekly outlook follows a monthly forecast issued on Monday. In it, Edward Muriuki, acting director of the Kenya Meteorological Service Authority, said most of the country should get above-average rainfall in November and December. He warned that the extra rain could cause flooding, damage roads and raise the risk of malaria, cholera and typhoid.
Muriuki said rural access roads could become impassable after long spells of rain. That would hit the movement of people, goods and essential services. He said towns could see traffic jams where drains overflow. Farming and the transport of produce to markets could also be disrupted. Stagnant water could breed mosquitoes, and floods could contaminate water sources.
The rains also bring benefits. Muriuki said November is a key month in the October-December short rains season. He said the rain should improve soil moisture and pasture and refill rivers, dams and groundwater. Rising rivers could still cause local flooding in low-lying areas.
Much of Kenya received below-average to near-average rainfall in October, according to the authority. A weather station at Ng'iya Primary School in Siaya recorded the highest monthly total, at 264.4mm. Some stations in Marsabit, Garissa, Mandera, Kisii, Kisumu and Lamu recorded more rain than usual for October.
Flooding has already hit the capital. Kenyans.co.ke reported on October 31 that overnight downpours had caused flash floods and traffic jams across Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado and Machakos. Waiyaki Way, Thika Road, Kiambu Road and Mombasa Road were among the routes affected.
Ghafla reported that the weather department has kept its forecast for above-average, El Niño-linked rain this season, despite a long dry spell. According to Ghafla, the Ministry of Health has told all 47 counties to prepare for waterborne disease outbreaks. The weather authority advised Kenyans to read its weekly forecast alongside shorter-term updates.